Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 (OT) in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Capitals win the series 4-2 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. They will face the Tampa Bay Lightning beginning this Friday in Tampa.

After a scoreless first, the Capitals opened the scoring with a goal from Alex Chiasson early in the middle frame, but the Penguins Kris Letang would answer for a 1-1 score at the second intermission. After a scoreless third period, Evgeny Kuznetsov won it in overtime.

STARTERSBraden Holtby (7-3, 2.16 GAA, .924 sv%) started between the pipes for the Capitals. Matt Murray (6-5, 2.49 GAA, .905 sv%) started in goal for the Penguins. The Capitals starting forward lines and defensive pairs for Game 6:

FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals and Penguins skated a tentative start to the opening from, with the Capitals leading shots on goal 3-2, with 8:35 remaining in the first period.

The first period would end 0-0. The Capitals outshot the Penguins 7-6 for the first 20 minutes. Both teams were 0 for 1 on the man advantage.

SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals would open the scoring with a goal from Alex Chiasson at 2:13 of the middle frame. Nathan Walker was credited with the primary helper.

The Penguins would tie the game with a goal from Kris Letang at 11:52 of the middle frame.

The period would end with the game tied 1-1. Pittsburgh outshot Washington 9-8 for the middle frame, with shots on goal tied 15-15 through two periods of play. There were no penalties called in the second period.

THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals and Penguins returned to somewhat tentative play to begin the final stanza. The Capitals led shots on goal 7-3 with 5:33 remaining in regulation, and the game still tied 1-1.

The third period would end without a score. The Capts outshot the Penguins 9-5 for the final frame. There were no penalties called.

OVERTIME
The Capitals win it overtime with a goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov. First, the call from the great John Walton.

The Canadian feed -“The march of the Penguins is over”.

Alex Ovechkin’s post-series interview:

Capitals mic’d up:

SHAVINGS

With Nathan Walker and Travis Boyd making their playoff debut in their rookie season, the Capitals have now played seven rookies this postseason, the most in a single postseason in franchise history.

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About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His passion for the Caps has grown over the decades, which has included time as a season ticket holder, social media and community organizer, and most recently led to the founding of NoVa Caps in 2014. Jon earned a Bachelor's of Science in Engineering at Old Dominion University, and is a Systems Engineer during intermissions, which has been instrumental in supporting his Capitals habit.

I always knew we COULD beat Pittsburgh, Jon and said so in three previous posts. The most important thing is that now our Capitals KNOW they belong because at last they’ve finally beaten the world champs–TWICE in their own den. And now the remaining contestants for Lord Stanley’s Cup also know that we belong and won’t wilt when the pressure begins to mount.

The Preds may prove to be at least as formidable a foe as Pittsburgh. But if we skate like we MEAN it for a full 60 minutes, don’t turn the puck over or take dumb penalties (and if Holtby and Kuznetsov continue to play the way they’re damned well capable of the rest of the way) I like our chances no matter who we face down the road…

The NBC boys couldn’t wait to switch to the Pred’s game. Said minimal congrats to the Caps and highlighted Syd’s being the first in line to congratulate ( he was first in line cuz he is the Captain and wanted to get to the locker room first) way to go Caps! What a victory. Holtby- MVP